The High and Mighty Mule by: Jeff Hightower

Oct 18, 2007, there was a tornado watch in effect for the Nashville, Tennessee area. What the news failed to mention was that this tornado was called Gov't Mule. And they came into town ready to lay an F5 down on the Music City. Opening the show was Grace Potter and the Nocturnals making their sophomore appearance in Nashville, and their show was only a shadow of what was to come. This four piece band from Vermont came into town with their own brand of rock. And just like the spark that can start a blaze, they lit the crowd up and dismissed the notions that they were a mere opening band, as they proved to be main event status anywhere they go. The church of Mule walked on stage this night to deliver a sermon that would speak to everyone. When Brother Farmer threw the noosed up chicken over the stack, everyone know all hell was going to break loose in Nashville on this night. Danny Louis, whom you could call half crazy, (but would be denying him the other half he so richly deserves) was tricked out with everything including a rarely seen talk box that reminds you of the days Stevie Wonder made it famous. Andy Hess, proved his permanent spot in the Mule lineup by bridging the gap from guitar to drums. And he, managed to drop a kick ass (pardon the pun) bass solo that not too many could pull off without losing the foundation of the band. Matt Abts proves once again he is the scariest drummer in the business, barre none. Not only did he successfully bust two drumhead but also went on a tear of about 15-20 minutes of drum solo that would have killed any other drummer. But for Matt it was just his way of giving a little bit of his soul to the crowd who screamed for every beat he nailed. And then the king took his thrown. Rolling stone ranked him at the 23rd best ever. I think Rolling Stone should recount their votes, as he is far better that his ranking would suggest. And with control, furry, and execution, Warren leveled mountains with every chord he struck. For two complete sets, he kept a sell-out crowd begging for more. And just as he was ready to strike down with the power of pure rock-n-roll, he brings out Jack Pearson and Jim Hall to crumble the stones of the city around them. Blues rang out like thunder from these titans of music. And they weren't through until every single person in the crowd had exhausted their very sense of being, in a blues/rock/reggae/folk music that caused even the blind man standing next to me, to see music as clear as anyone else could see the day. At the stroke of midnight, the last notes were hit and we were left drenched in the sweat of pure rock-n-roll. From hits like "Rockin' Horse" and "Blind Man in the Dark" to the words of his soul in "Patchwork Quilt" and we heard it all. He even managed to sneak in Beatles' hits "Love Me Do" and "She Said She Said". And at one point in the night, I'd swear I could see the ghost of Jerry Garcia watching on in approval. These kings of music stood before their people and unleashed a massive tornado of music that sang to people's hearts and souls. After the show, I was privileged to be one of the lucky that got to meet Warren. After 3 hours on stage, he stepped out from behind the curtain to meet with his fans. He came out with a smile to meet those of us who waited to see him. And without fail, he proved to be the most humble and gracious of men. He shook my hand, signed my book and smiled when I told him I had been waiting close to 15 years for this meeting. From Asheville to the center stage, Warren Haynes showed that in fact just as his friend Ray Sisk once said, "he was going to be somebody". And on this night, he proved he was. He was a legend of modern day rock who gave back more that he took. And I could feel the presence of greatness when I shook his hand. If I never accomplish anything else in music, I have done what I set out to do. And that my friends, is to shake the hand of greatness. On October 18, 2007 a tornado touched town in Nashville and in its wake was left a boyhood dream come true. · To all those at Hard Head Management (especially Jay), thank you for this trip to wonderland. And to Warren himself for taking us on the ride of a lifetime. From the nest… Hornetman

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